We too have a basement with little natural light. There is no solution except to provide plenty of artificial illumination. You mention there are fluorescents, perhaps you can add some wall sconces, table lamps or floor up-lights to change the character without having to change out the existing ceiling lighting right away.

Personally, I would make the ceiling white. I have no knowledge about painting ceiling tiles but in an already dark space I believe a white ceiling helps brighten the area. In the open room, yes, black will disguise all of the plumbing into the joists. Paint all the plumbing, heating ducts and wire black too. Lots of brush work, I've done it!

Our basement is largely white with accent colors to separate various areas. Grey tile floor with accent rugs. Lots of colorful art on the walls. Photos are viewable from the link below. Good luck.

Here is a link that might be useful: Our Basement

Thanks. Nice basement. We have the drop ceiling panels, rather than the drywall. I'm debating on whether I should roll them or purchase a sprayer. I give you credit for painting by hand - the paint store told me, no way, you'd use too much paint. LOL.

Nice artwork. Nice liquor collection too.

I see you have contemporary in the basement, and traditional upstairs, like us. Thanks for sharing the pics.

Did you build that bar yourself? If so, how? I like the glass blocks, but wondering about the countertop?

Thank you for the compliment.

As I mentioned, I have no idea about painting ceiling tile. Guess you could purchase a roller and try a couple and if that doesn't give satisfactory results go the sprayer route. Might check a local rental about a sprayer.

Everything in our basement is DIY. Designed and built by us. If you go back to the photos, I have provided commentary about many of them below the pictures.

As to the bar, basically I built a plywood frame onto which the top is attached. The frame fits into routed 2 x 4's anchored to the floor. The bar top is 2, 3/4" plywood sheets (plus an additional stiffener on the edges, covered with 1/2" concrete board then with 8 x 8 floor tile as the surface. The glass block are not structural but I did run metal reinforcement between some rows which then anchor to the underside of the bartop.

The bar face accent lighting is rope light and the color was achieved by installing theatrical lighting film over the rope lights. This was the only solution I could come up with to achieve the color we wanted.

Happy to help, you're in WI and I'm in Northern IL - stop by and lean for awhile.

fnmroberts, I know you don't intend for your bar area to function as a full kitchen, but it is so cool I think you should post it on the finished kitchens blog. Very inspiring!

FMRoberts, what a fantastic job. My husband says your basement "kicks ***". Now he's determined to install a bar area.

Where did you get the french doors? I like the privacy glass.

How difficult was it to construct the glass block around the bar? Where would I look for theatrical lighting film? How creative.

I ordered the French Doors through a lumber yard. Had to have them delivered "knocked down" because pre-hung units would not make it down the stairs. Home Centers were unable to have them delivered knocked down. They came primed and we painted them. The glass has been frosted with a 3M window film available from Home Centers.
I obtained the theatrical film from a specilty lighting place in, I believe, Skokie IL. I'll try to find the paperwork this week for you. It's been several years so no idea if they are still in business. It was an investment but I can tell you that blue rope lights delivered turquois color and DW was not going for that!

Buy the glass block and construct the glass block wall first! VOICE OF EXPERIENCE We did it last and it was a "*itch" getting the last row in place. We purchased sufficient block to define their placement and height in order to size the bar but thought installing them last was the correct sequence - smarter now for your benefit. Installing the block was relatively simple - if you've ever mixed any mortar, have a level, rubber mallot and a straight line you're set. It took us parts of 2 days to built it. Purchased from Menards and they and the manufactures website gave us the need-to-know information. The corner blocks are the expensive part but made the look we wanted.

We use the bar often. Not just for entertaining, but for project work space and for food prep of things when lots of counter space is needed. Rule here is we do not carry things to the basement and just set them on the bar! We would truly miss not having a second kitchen.

Best of luck with yours. I'll see if I have info on the film and post here if I do.

kimcoco

As I don't want an issue raised that I might be promoting a product on the forum, please e-mail me from the "My Page" link and I'll reply with info I have about the lighting film.